?Tips and tricks to backing a spread axle?

Don't know if this would be practical for you or not. Do you have a dump valve on your front axle? Dumping air on front trailer axle makes backing simple.

 

Really you just need to watch a few others and see how they approach it. Yes, it's the approach that sets it all up. Then go practice, like if your out on a 34 hr. reset somewhere, move to another spot. And again, practice and then practice some more.

 

I pulled a sread and the rear axle dumped, it really made it easier to get in, once you got almost lined up, air up the rear axle and it would go straight back.

 

its very easy, most people struggle at first with them because they do not know where the pivot point is. Its the front axle, the best way IMO to approach a whole (hehehe) is to treat everything behind the front axle as if it where your over hang on a van/reefer and start to cut it when the front axle is next to the front bumper of the truck next to you and back er on in.....takes a little practice and getting used to but its not much differant then a tandem they just dont like to rotate as easyily




American Trucker

 

Use GOAL and ull be fine driver. Just get the darn thing in there without rolling a bead and hitting anything. Spreads will always back different on every load. So there's no tricks.

 

I would say they are more forgiving and to be more persuasive. Grace will come later.

 

Without a dump valve the pivot point is between the axles. How it turns will vary depending on how heavy you are, whether you are on asphalt or gravel, wet or dry. If you are backing up to a dock in a pit, you will start pivoting on the front axle when the back one breaks over the edge. When you are pulling out of a short steep driveway and the front axle gets air you pivot on the rear. It's all about practice and getting a feel.

Generally speaking you need to oversteer into it to get it to start turning, then correct back quickly to keep from overshooting. When backing into a tight spot I do what I call, "taking slices", I work it back & forth to be able to slide in on a gentle angle. I really avoid putting it a sharp binding turn & risking a tricycle event.

IMO anytime you get it in the spot without hitting anything it's a successful back-up, I don't care how long it took or haw many times you get out & look.

Dump valves are great. I'm wiring my truck up asap & when I get my own trailer I want them on both axles.

 

Best advice I can give is to try and glide it in, at a nice, smooth, obtuse angle. You won't make any progress trying to jack and back it like a closed axle. Sometimes, late at night I'll pull into a truckstop, find that last spot way off in the back, and line up like I've still got a closed axle trailer behind me, get into the back, and end up 2 spaces off of where I thought I should be when I cut back on the wheel, look back, and see all my tires grinding sideways on the asphalt.

Having a stretched frame, and no real power steering (air assist doesn't count) my best technique for backing has been finding a spot before the sun goes down, and pulling through.

45 degree nearside parking spaces are your friend. Look for them whenever you can. Beyond that, dirt lots offer a bit more room for creativity, and the tires slide around a bit easier if you get to pushing the trailer somewhere it doesn't want to go. Also, if you're lucky, you can find two trucks that left a spot and a half between them, and that makes things a bit easier.